David Gauntlett (www.theory.org, Web Studies)
Web 2.0 allows creativity and collaboration. It connects people on a global scale which should be good for happiness and should contribute to "utopia"? The internet shifts from push media to pull media and is subsequently more about the people and less about the media.
Henry Jenkins (Convergence Culture)
His theory outlines how the blending of old and new media have seen the birth of Web 2.0. The platforms of web 2.0 enable a participatory culture where people collaborate and share their ideas.
Charles Leadbeater (We Think)
The connection of people due to the platforms of Web 2.0 means that ideas and knowledge can be freely shared. This should be good for democracy? He then outlines the counter arguments and poses the question - are large corporations just exploiting the masses?? how do we make money if everyone is freely sharing? What is accurate and what do we trust?
Dan Gillmor (We Media)
Centered on grassroots journalism. He argues that the platforms of web 2.0 have seen the birth of citizen journalism which gives a voice to the voiceless and provides information that multinational conglomerate institutions either can't (regulation) or won't.
Chris Anderson (The Long Tail)
Anderson's theory looks at how the internet acts as a platform to sell niche products. He argues that the internet is like an endless warehouse where people can locate and purchase anything that they desire. This is enabling smaller media companies (e.g. Independent music labels, Unsigned Artists, Independent film makers etc.) to sell their products and compete (to some extent) with the large multinational conglomerate institutions like The Big 4 (Music) and the The Big 5 (Film Industry). The longtail means that less of more can be sold as the internet isn't concerned with shelf space and only stocking the guaranteed "big sellers" (usually the mainstream products and brand names).
Denis McQuail (Uses & Gratifications)
Uses and Gratifications is part of the study of audience. It argues that audience members are active rather than passive consumers of the media. The theory suggests that people use media for a variety of purposes.
Wes Nisker "If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own"
Dan Gilmor (Grassroots Journalism)
Gilmor discusses the impact of the internet on the news industry. It's seen the birth of citizen journalism. He argues it's good for democracy as it gives a "voice to the voiceless" - allowing us to her the opinions of those who usually go unheard in society. Moreover, he states that it empowers people to share - sharing to a potentially global audience. He states that citizen journalism provides information that large institutions either can't (regulation & law) or won't publish. He uses examples such as the 9/11 terror attacks and the Asian Tsunami in 2004 and the London bombing.
Clay Shirky (Here comes everybody)
Despite what critics suggest Shirky states that large controlling institutions will never disappear because of the empowered audience. He offers that there is always going to be demand for credible (professional) content.
Tappscott & Williams (Wikinomics)
online collaboration and sharing is promoting a "free economy" where unpaid volunteers are exploited by corporations.
Judith Butler (Gender Trouble)
Butler argues that Identity is a performance. It is something that is not fixed and can be changed on a regular basis depending on contact with people, situations and media content.
Charles Cheung (Personal Homepages)
Cheung suggests that people use the internet to self-represent - to say something about who they are and what they believe in.
Donna Hathaway (Cyborgs)
Hathaway suggests that people use cyborgs or avatars to construct a version of themselves or to create a new identity for themselves. They can project they fantasies or live out a life that they've always wanted as they're free from the constraints of the ideological underpinnings of Western society. She even goes as far to say that virtual worlds can produce equality especially concerning the positioning of women. They are many critics to this who suggest that the internet only mimics the hierarchy, prejudice and ideology of contemporary society.
David Buckingham
Whilst the internet is revolutionary it largely appeals to those "early adopters". Whilst we've moved into the realm of pull media (web 2.0) the internet is still a tool whereby people have to go and find information, activities etc. He argues that mass media will still reach more people than the internet - hence there is always a place for traditional media.
David Buckingham also, discusses how the internet is causing the 'death of childhood'. He says that the open nature of the internet is allowing children to access content that is not made for them and ultimately stripping them of what we historically associated with childhood (no awareness of "evil", sex, money, politics etc. just playing with no worries or cares). Tanya Bryon would agree with the latter. You could link this into online gaming, advertising etc.
Remember that there are critics for every theory. The exam is about constructing a theoretical debate.
There are many other theorists that you can refer to in your additional reading materials, documentaries and on the blog.
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